Online poll: Less Christmas spending

More than 60 per cent of the respondents to last week’s cayCompass.com online poll said they would spend a little less or a lot less for Christmas this year.

Of the 468 respondents, 180 of them – 38.5 per cent – said they would spend a lot less.

“Partially because of my financial situation and partially because I am in no mood for celebrations this year,” said one person. “We’ll eat for the holidays as we normally do, but the gift-giving aspect will be cut way down.”

“No raise in two years and underpaid from the first day of taking my job,” said someone else.

“I’m broke,” said another person.

“I gave CUC and Texaco all of my Christmas presents this year,” commented one person.

Another 105 respondents – 22.4 per cent – said they would spend a little less than they normally do this Christmas.

“We as a family plan to spend a little less money on presents/gifts and spend more on family time and food,” said one person.

“Nothing last year, so a little more than that now that I have found employment after one year looking,” said someone else.

Ninety-six people – 20.5 per cent – said they would spend the same this year compared with other years.

“I am spending differently this year,” said one person. “Less money on presents … and more money on family activities where I can spend time with my kids – which they prefer – over the holidays.”

“Christmas is about family, love and food; not presents,” said someone else.

Forty-five people – 9.6 per cent – said they would spend a little more this year compared to other years and 33 respondents – 7.1 per cent – said they would spend a lot more than previously.

“Because me and my family are moving down just before Christmas,” said one person.

Nine people – 1.9 per cent – responded ‘other’ to the question.

“No spending; I don’t celebrate Christmas,” said one person.

“Zero on gifts,” said someone else. “Christmas is about food and family in our household.”

“I haven’t done Christmas presents for numerous years,” said one person. “The season shouldn’t be about wealth; it should be about appreciating the people in our lives. If I want to buy you a present, I’ll do it regardless of the month.”

“Nothing. I don’t believe in Jesus Christ,” said another person. “I’m saving my money for more important things, like food.”

While the majority of people said they would spend less, the numbers show more planned spending something than the results of similar online polls conducted in recent years. Last year, 44.9 per cent of respondents said they would spend a lot less for Christmas and 19.6 said they would spend a little less. In 2008, when the financial crisis was just beginning to be felt in Cayman, 51.5 per cent said they would spend a lot less for Christmas and 19.5 per cent said they would spend a little less.

Next week’s poll question

What do you think of the proposal to create a cruise ship berthing facility in South Sound?